Documents for a French mortgage as a non-resident: the complete checklist

The number one reason French mortgage applications from abroad stall isn't income or credit history. It's paperwork. French banks work through a strict checklist, and a single missing statement can add weeks to your timeline. Here is exactly what you'll need, so you can get everything ready before you make an offer.

Identity and personal situation

• Valid passport for each borrower.
• Proof of address abroad dated within the last three months (utility bill, bank statement).
• Marriage certificate, civil partnership agreement or divorce decree, if relevant. French banks care about your marital regime because it affects who owns the property.
• Birth certificate in some cases, especially for the notaire.

Proof of income

• Employees: last three payslips, employment contract or employer letter confirming your position, salary and start date.
• Last two tax returns (US Form 1040, UK SA302 or tax calculation, or your country's equivalent).
• Self-employed or business owners: last three years of accounts, ideally signed off by an accountant.
• Rental income: leases and evidence of rent received.
• Retirees: pension statements and recent payment evidence.

Bank statements and assets

Property documents

• The signed preliminary sale agreement (compromis de vente), once you have one.
• The property listing, floor plan and energy performance certificate (DPE).
• Contractor quotes, if you plan to finance renovation work in the loan.

Translations and formats

Most banks accept documents in English. For other languages, a certified translation may be required. Send clear, full-page PDFs, never phone photos or cropped screenshots, and name each file clearly. A well-organised file signals a serious buyer and gets read faster.

Mistakes that slow non-resident files down

• Large unexplained transfers on your statements: keep proof of where each one came from.
• Overdrafts or missed payments in the last few months.
• Waiting for the compromis to start gathering documents, which squeezes the loan condition deadline.
• Applying to several banks at once without a strategy, which can confuse lenders.

Fees & feasibility analysis

First, a feasibility analysis: €975. I review your full file, estimate your realistic budget and identify the banks most likely to lend to your profile. This amount is deducted from my fees if your loan is obtained for a property found within 6 months.

Then, my brokerage fee: 2% of the property price, with a minimum of €4,500, payable only once your loan is signed.

Get your file ready before you fall in love with a property

Book a free introductory call. We'll go through your situation, the documents you already have and what's missing, so you can make an offer on the Riviera with confidence. I work in English and French, and I'll be your single point of contact with the banks.